Hazleton Cinema
1043 N. Church Street,
Hazleton,
PA
18202
1043 N. Church Street,
Hazleton,
PA
18202
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Comerford Theaters Inc., Fox Theatres (Reading, PA)
Functions: Beauty Salon, Restaurant
Previous Names: Church Hill Cinema, Church Hill Twin Cinema
Nearby Theaters
The Church Hill Cinema opened in April 1969 and was located outside the Church Hill Mall located on North Church Street in Hazleton, PA. This was constructed as a large single screen auditorium of just over 900 seats and I believe was originally operated by the Comerford theater chain. The lobby and auditorium were decorated in aqua-green and gold and the theater was quite successful due to the large parking area provided by the Church Hill Mall.
When Comerford ended operations in the early-1970’s, it was taken over by the Hersker family who also operated the Hersker Theater in West Hazleton. Both theaters were later operated by Fox Theaters from Reading, PA. The Church Hill Cinema was twinned in 1978 by running a wall from the front to the rear of the auditorium. The theater was divided further in 1992 and the name changed to Hazleton Cinema. Cinema I was twinned by running a wall from the left to right side, while Cinema II was actually made into 3 theaters also by running walls from left to right.
Two additional theaters were constructed outside the west wall of the theater around 1994 which made for a very confusing layout. The theater closed in 2000 after Hoyts opened a new 10 screen at the Laurel Mall.
Currently, a hair stylist is located in the lobby area and a buffet restaurant is using the auditorium.
Contributed by
Bobs
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
This link provides a recent photo of the former Church Hill Cinema.
View link
1969 photos as well as the April 5th, 1969 and July 1st, 1977 (as twin) grand opening ads in the photo section for this cinema.
The Church Hill Cinema opened its doors as a 900-seat single-screener on April 5, 1969 with Clint Eastwood in “Where Eagles Dare” featuring stereophonic sound and 26 speakers. On July 1, 1977, the Church Hill Cinema became the Church Hill Twin Cinema when it was twinned, housing 772 seats (with 386 in each auditorium). It was briefly renamed the Hazleton Cinema Center in 1992 before being renamed the Hazelton Cinemas in May of that same year.
On July 17, 1992, it became a five-screen theater, with 710 seats in total. Cinema I was twinned by running a wall from the left to right side, while Cinema II was divided three times into three theaters also by running walls from left to right. Two more screens were added in 1993 bringing a total to seven. It was closed on June 10, 1999.
Once known as “Church Hill Twin Cinema”.